Boardwalk upgrade unveiled at Sunshine

Recent funding from Lake Macquarie City Council, and a federal government grant under the Stronger Communities Program was supplemented by more donations from local residents to help Sunshine Progress Association complete the upgrade.

“The works consist of 41 metres of boardwalk in two sections, and 190 metres of formed and mulched track,” Sunshine Progress Association president John Quinlan said at the unveiling of the project last week. 

“It was built by Gordon Moore and his staff and I think you will agree they did a great job. Gordon is here with us today.”

Mr Quinlan said what started as a gripe the local residents had with the council about their activities at the reserve had ended favourably with the unveiling of the project. 

“But out of bad has come good,” he said.

“Council offered to help fund an upgrade to this walking track that runs from Sunshine Park to Johnys Point. This was supplemented by generous donations by local residents as well as a grant from the federal government under the Stronger Communities Program.

“These works supplement the original part of the boardwalk that was entirely funded by a generous local resident.”

Participants in the Work for the Dole Scheme also worked on the project.

“We had hoped that with assistance from the Work for the Dole Scheme, the scope of works would be more extensive and would reach all the way to Johnys Point,” Mr Quinlan said.

“Unfortunately, sufficient people could not be identified to be part of the work group and we had to accept a more modest outcome. So that remains a future project.

“Nevertheless, we are very proud of what has been achieved. I would particularly thank Kelvin and Julie Ward, without whose enthusiasm this project would not have eventuated.”

Mr Quinlan thanked the council for accepting responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the community asset, and also the other section of track and boardwalk, constructed in 2009, to protect the lake foreshore.